Information Royal standard accordion

[Dadsaccordion]

Hi all, looking to find out info about my fathers accordion, it is a royal standard, with only buttons to play it. My father passed away in 1984, not sure but think he was passed it down from his father. I have looked on various websites but haven't seen one similar, I estimate its 80ish years old, how can I find out more about it? Also some of the buttons are missing and need repaired or replaced where could I have this done? I live by Glasgow airport, however also regularly in the Warrington area.

 

[Nuuksu]

Royal Standard east-germany accordion brand, it was made in Klingenthal, in same place where Weltmeister was made. Royal Standard and Weltmeister were two brands of accordions from east-germany which top models were considered quite acceptable instruments. Their cheaper instruments were medicore, Royal standard cheaper ones were better than Weltmeister cheaper ones. Nowdays only Weltmeister is in production but I don't know do they manufacture it still in Klingenthal. Picture from Your intrument would help.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Dadsaccordion]

Hi Nuuksu , thanks for your reply. I have pictures but can't seem to attach them. How do I go about adding then to the post ?

 

[Nuuksu]

If You look, there is "Upload attachement" tab below message box.

 

[Dadsaccordion]

Trying to find message box lol

 

[Nuuksu]

Message box, maybe text box is better, is that one what You get if You press post reply.

UPDATE: There is better guide in here http://www.accordionists.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4428

 

[Dadsaccordion]

Hi Nuuksu think I've managed to attach an image. Not so clever on Internet.

 

[Nuuksu]

It is old CBA, certainly from 40s maybe even older but certainly not from 60s. My first accordion teacher had Weltmeister from 30s or 40s which has brass reeds, it was quite heavy instrument. When I first tried CBA it was C system Firoti from some era. Picture isnt very good but I managed to find similar Royal Standard PAs from net. Some were sold on eBay. If I see correctly(?) it has seven bass rows, 140 basses.

One thing is sure, if You wish to play it it needs some work. I believe that its overall quality is quite good, similar to Hohners from same era. Later East-German instruments were produced from cheaper materials and I havent seen any later model with pearl/celluloid buttons/keys, of course instruments themselves were coated with celluloid, but buttons/keys were made from some weird and soft plastic. We call this plastic hapupiima plastik in estonia, it means sour milk plastic in english It was called it because keys weared very easily and were very soft and prone to break.

UPDATE: It may sound something similar to this

 

[Dadsaccordion]

Hi Nuuksu thanks for your information, just have to find out where I can get it restored and how much. Attached is another picture and I'll send another 2. Yes it has 140 basses. And yes it is heavy, my father was only 4ft10ins due to a childhood accident, it was like he was hidden behind it lol. He never read music but could follow anyone singing after a few lines. Many a Scottish song played on it on holidays and the new year, fond memories.

 

[Dadsaccordion]

Second picture

 

[Dadsaccordion]

3rd picture

 

[Nuuksu]

If it has 140 basses, it is somewhat unusual, CBA-s used in Balkan region have usually 7 bass rows and 6 rows of buttons on right hand keyboard. Restoration costs depend on how well instrument is maintained previously and how good its storage place conditions were. Best way to find out its condition is to play it

I like these old instruments, they have very different sound from newer instruments from 50's and upward.